This, as he challenged critics claiming the granting of permits to China was against the interest of the Filipino people.
“I challenge them to prove that even an inch of territory and sovereignty has been compromised under the Duterte government. We are even better than the past administration in terms of territorial claims,” he said during the groundbreaking ceremonies for the P13.16-billion National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) at the proposed New Clark City in this town.
Cayetano noted that China had submitted 18 applications for marine exploration in the Benham Rise, but only two were approved.
“The US submitted 13 applications and all were granted, Japan had nine applications and we granted all nine. South Korea had four applications and we granted all four,” he said.
Cayetano noted two requirements in the granting of permits, including the presence of Filipino scientists in exploration operations, as well as transparency in the sharing of scientific information to be gathered during the exploration.
“What do we stand to lose (in allowing foreign scientists to explore Benham Rise)? The best scientific minds from all over the world will do the research and share the information with us,” he said.
Cayetano downplayed fears that China would exploit fishery resources, saying that while the Philippine government had given it rights for exploration, it could deny activities that would be against the interest of Filipinos.
“They all must comply with Philippine laws or we would bar them at Benham Rise,” he stressed.
Cayatano debunked fears of any territorial conflict at Benham Rise, or Philippine Rise, since the United Nations had clearly affirmed the Philippine’s sovereignty rights over the 13 million square kilometer area east of Luzon.
“So, there is no question on this, no matter who we allow to do research and explore the area,” he said.
Cayetano said that Benham Rise is much unlike the South China Sea which is also being claimed by China and even by Malaysia and Vietnam.
“But how come our relationship with Malaysia and Vietnam is getting to be much better despite the dispute? That is what the President is saying,” he noted.
This, even as Cayetano said that those given permits at Benham Rise are not yet on the stage of exploration. “They will just do research work. The matter of exploration would need another permit from concerned agencies,” he added.
